CRICKET: Bollington are still top of the pile - but the gap is closing, in our Meller Braggins and Shammah Nicholls round-up.
Bollington are still top of the Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League despite a losing draw at home to Middlewich.
But the result has allowed their challengers to close the gap as the battle for the two promotion places to the Murray Smith league hots up.
Middlewich looked to be in a good position at Bollington recreation ground on Saturday after declaring on 155-3.
But, try as they might, the visitors could not knock down the Bollington tail-enders.
The home side held on for a draw at 132-9, then breathed a sigh of relief as most of their fellow contenders let them off relatively lightly.
Second-placed Weaverham were surprisingly beaten at home by mid-table Tattenhall.
Oakmere did close the gap on Bollington, but must have been kicking themselves after falling just two runs short of victory at Old Parkonians.
Chasing 230-5 declared, Oakmere got to 229-8 and had to settle for a draw.
But both Lymm and Middlewich made up ground at the weekend, and the top five are now separated by just 12 points.
The next couple of weeks could make or break Bolly's season.
At the other end of the table, Prestbury are still in relegation trouble after falling six runs short of a win at Lindow.
The home side had declared on 202-9, but Prestbury ran out of deliveries as they trailed by five runs with three wickets to spare.
In Division Two, Pott Shrigley lie eight points above the bottom two after an eight-wicket defeat at home to leaders Mere.
Shrigley were skittled out for just 80, and Mere always looked too strong to succumb to a similar collapse.
Sandbach appear to be beyond help at the bottom of the division, but half-a-dozen clubs could yet be scrambling to avoid joining them in Division Three next season.
Chelford are closer to the bottom than the top of Division Three, but came within a whisker of a fabulous victory in a dramatic finish at league leaders Ladybridge.
Chasing 203-6 dec, Chelford had a chance of victory right up to the last ball - but in the end could only match the total as the game ended in a tie.
That result allowed Burnage to close the gap at the top with a comfortable win over Woodford.
Alderley P 196-4 Langley 85
Alderley Park cruised to an emphatic 25-point win over Langley in this Shammah Nicholls Division One clash.
Elsewhere both Over Peover and Trafford MV were defeated, allowing Alderley to go 24 points clear at the top - and more importantly 44 points clear of third-placed Chester.
Electing to bat first, Alderley made an unconvincing start, losing new recruit Gordon Neve on seven and Ritesh Jain on 20.
Farmer entertained briefly, before playing a loose shot to cover point with the score on 36.
Was the bubble about to burst? Not on your life.
McKeever dug deep to produce his best innings for the club driving with impunity to an unbeaten 85.
Wilkinson produced yet another half century in a fourth wicket stand of 131. Tony Parry was the star with 20 runs from 15 balls!
The Langley reply never got going as batsman after batsman holed out to the eager Alderley fielders.
Langley slumped to 46 for 8 before Duffy and Ward put on 39.
Duffy eventually retired hurt trying to reach a delivery from Wilkinson.
As the weather closed in, Wilkinson then removed Ward with a legitimate delivery and the points were safe.
Parry and Losse were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets a-piece, as Alderley strengthened their lead at the top.
Aston 133 Parkside 264-4
Parkside posted a massive score to record a convincing win at Aston.
Jason Knight hit five sixes in a row on his way to 106 not out.
And even though Aston's Phil Beesley took 4-91, the home side never got to grips with Parkside's batting power.
Aston, on the other hand, struggled to make progress with the bat.
Benson's 44 was the highlight of their innings as they were sent packing for 133.
Dave Letven was Parkside's best bowler, taking 5-64.
The win takes Parkside up to seventh.
Hartford 156-8 Kerridge 144-6
Kerridge's Leigh brothers - Dominic and Chris - did enough to keep Hartford in range in this tight match at Grange Park.
Dominic took four wickets for 43 runs, while Chris took 3-38 as they restricted the home side to 156-8.
Neil Hart was Hartford's best batsmen, scoring 31 runs.
It gave Kerridge a reasonable target, but in the end they had to settle for a draw.
Steve Kenyon was the star of Kerridge's innings with 47.
But Hartford bowlers Rob Whittle and Matt Shinkfield stopped the visitors from reaching their target.
Whittle took 3-15 and Shinkfield claimed 4-46 as Kerridge got a draw without too much trouble.
Peover lose again to fall further behind
Over Peover trail Division One leaders Alderley Park by 24 points after defeat at home to Stretton.
The visitors posted 196 for 6, (M.Critchley 75 not out), but Peover fell 33 runs of the target despite 50 from Phil Sant.
Chester are third after a ten-wicket thumping of bottom-of-the-table Trinity.
The bottom side were all out for 68, Andy Barlow taking 7 for 13 for the hosts.
Chester got to 69 without losing a wicket, Tony Hattersley top scoring with 30.
Castrol made themselves comfortable in mid-table by beating visitors Disley.
The home side posted 210 for 5 (D Green scored 65 not out and M Garvey hit 62).
Disley who found the target too much, ending their innings on 89. Damien Walters did the damage with four wickets for 30 runs.
Trafford lost at Oakwood Farm, where Wilmslow Wayfarers posted 248 for 7.
M Shiraz (104), John Unsworth (51) and A Montiff (40) were all in the runs, despite bowler Darren Park's taking 3 for 76.
Trafford were all out for 176. Adamson, with 40, and Park, with 54, scored the runs, while Martin Baldwin (4 for 65) and M Shiraz (4 for 30) hit the wickets.
In Division Two, Appleton stay top after an eight-wicket win at Liscard.
Chasing 125-9, Appleton always looked in control and reached 126-2 without too much difficulty.
The same could not be said for Audlem, who fell well short of victory against Kingsley.
Set a target of 293-7, Audlem did not even get close, and lost the match by 107 runs after being bowled out for 132.
Glazebury won at Rostherne after being bowled out for 154. In reply, the hosts fell 34 runs short ending their innings on 120 (Adrian Read 49, D Calvert 4-9.
Mossley posted 175 for 6 at Frodsham with Sean Tideswell hitting 66 and M Williamson taking 4 for 57.
Frodsham took the game, hitting 176 for 9 in a close finish. Matt Hunter 5 for 56 hitting the wickets for Mossley.
Wistaston (164 for 9) drew with hosts Saughall (117 for 7).
Heaton Mersey Village (232 for 8) beat Northwich (166).
